SeaWorld is one of the most popular attractions in San Diego, so it is a place that many tourists want to go while they are in this beautiful city. It can be expensive to take a trip to SeaWorld, however, so if you are going you will want to make the most of your time there!
If you are wondering what are the best things to do at SeaWorld, I’m here to share some of my favorite experiences with you. There are so many amazing creatures to see in this park and you will certainly leave with a new appreciation and awe for the beautiful and fascinating sea life all around us!
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What to Do at SeaWorld
If you’re wondering what the best things are to do at SeaWorld, this list will help you! These are some of my favorite animals to see while spending a day in this park!
1. Visit the Dolphins During Training
Dolphins are super fun animals that love socializing with each other and always look happy with their big grins! The dolphins at SeaWorld San Diego are fun to see at any time, but are especially exciting to see while they are working with their trainers. Check with a SeaWorld employee when you arrive to know what time the trainers will be working with the dolphins on the day you are there.
When I visited, I was impressed to see that the SeaWorld trainers did not force the dolphins to participate in training but offered it as an option. The dolphins only participated if they wanted to. One of the dolphins didn’t feel like being a part of training on the day I was there, so they let him sit it out. There was no pressure to make them perform if they didn’t want to, which was really respectful.
If you are lucky enough to be at the enclosure while the dolphins are training, you will find it especially fun because SeaWorld employees drop the rope fences that usually keep you at a distance and they allow you to get right up to the barrier. Being so close to these magnificent animals is really a treat!
2. Watch the Otters at Feeding Time
What’s more adorable than otters? Not very many things. But otters at feeding time…well, that just may compete. The otters at SeaWorld are given ice rings with frozen fish inside at mealtimes, and it is a lot of fun to watch them playing with their food and cracking it open to eat it! There’s even one otter at SeaWorld San Diego who is given two ice rings because he eats his so fast that he steals the rings from the other otters if he doesn’t have a second ring of his own.
But even if you can’t visit during feeding time, you should definitely still stop by to say hello to these adorable creatures. They love to play and swim and twirl in the water on their own and with their otter friends.
3. Experience the Shark Encounter
The Shark Encounter experience is one of the best exhibits at SeaWorld San Diego. When you enter, you start by seeing the sharks from above. There are lots of different types of sharks to see. Then you make your way to the shark tunnel, which is a tunnel made of glass so you can walk through it and see the sharks surrounding you on all sides—even above!
It is a truly unique experience to be so close to these amazing animals and get to see them from all sides. I went through the tunnel twice on my last visit to SeaWorld because I love the experience so much!
4. Participate in Sea Lion Feeding
The Sea Lions are another awesome animal to visit at feeding time, particularly because you can purchase a small container of tiny fish to feed them yourself! The Sea Lions are, of course, also fed larger fish by SeaWorld employees, but it’s fun to give them a little extra snack sometimes too. (Side note: the little fish are approved by the caretakers. Please do not attempt to feed the Sea Lions anything else. They do not want your peanut butter sandwich).
5. Touch a Stingray
SeaWorld San Diego has a stingray touch tank that allows you to get up close with these fascinating creatures. The stingrays have plenty of room to swim away from people if they don’t want to be touched, but when they swim close to the edges you are allowed to reach your hand in and pet them as they swim past.
To me, the stingrays feel like a waterlogged Chia seed…a little slimy and gooey. But it is really cool to experience! And some of them come to the surface at the edge of the pool specifically to say hello and hang out with you!
6. Explore the Touch Tanks at Explorer’s Reef
Near the entrance to the park, you’ll see a bunch of tanks under shade shelters where you can find a variety of sea life. In there you will find different types of reef sharks as well as fish and other creatures, and animal ambassadors are nearby to answer any questions you may have. This is an especially fun place to visit with kids…but even adults will have a blast here!
7. See the Walrus
SeaWorld San Diego has a funny walrus who likes to act like he’s swimming right up to the window and going to crash through…but then at the last second he swims up and away before repeating this process again. This lovable walrus is fun to see with its big tusks and hilarious personality!
8. Visit the Penguins
Penguins have long been one of my favorite animals, so anytime I get to see them is exciting! SeaWorld has different types of penguins so has different areas for them. There is an indoor, freezing place for cold climate penguins and an outdoor sunny place for those who love warm climates. You can see the cold climate penguins swimming underwater in their enclosure, while the warm climate penguins like to swim in their pond and swim up to say hello to visitors.
9. See the Orcas
Orcas are definitely one of the most impressive animals to see at SeaWorld…especially during the Orca Encounter educational program. These shows have definitely evolved from the days of Shamu in an effort to be more conscious of the needs of these magnificent animals.
From what I understand, SeaWorld is gradually phasing out Orcas and when the current ones are gone there are no plans to bring in new ones. But while these ones are still at San Diego, it is a unique opportunity for the public to learn about the way these whales interact with each other and for animal experts to continue learning about these creatures and how we can help whales survive in the wild.
10. Watch the Beluga Whales
Beluga Whales are so fascinating to see! At first, they look just like a block of snow in the water…but as you look closer you will realize there’s a mouth and eyes on that block of snow!
The Beluga Whale section is one of my favorites at SeaWorld because you can watch them from above and then walk downstairs to see them swimming below the water. I loved seeing the sun rays and speckled patterns on their back as they swim in the sun-dappled waters!
11. Enjoy the Rides
SeaWorld San Diego has been expanding to include more amusement park rides including a roller coaster…and although roller coasters aren’t my cup of tea, if they are yours then you may be interested in riding some of these attractions while at SeaWorld. There is so much to do and see with rides and with animal attractions, so you will certainly have plenty of fantastic things to enjoy while at this park!
Special SeaWorld Experiences and Encounters
If the regular SeaWorld experience isn’t enough for you, SeaWorld also offers some upgrades to allow you more one-on-one encounters with these amazing creatures. All of these encounters are closely monitored and limited to a small number of people per day so as not to overwhelm the animals…which means if you are interested in these you will want to sign up early!
Here are some of the best SeaWorld experiences to upgrade to, but be sure to check out the official SeaWorld page to learn more about these and the other offerings.
Beluga Whale Interaction
The Beluga Interaction experience allows you to wade into the Arctic waters with an animal trainer to get close to the belugas and touch, feed, and play with them. Participants must be 10 and up.
Penguins Up-Close Tour
In this tour, you go inside the Penguin Encounter enclosure and then on a behind-the-scenes tour to meet a penguin “face-to-beak” (in the words of SeaWorld). You will also learn from an animal expert about caring for penguins and the challenges penguins face in the wild. All participants must be at least 6 years old.
Dolphin Interaction
This may be one of the most popular encounters at SeaWorld, as you get to enter the water and meet, touch, and feed the dolphins. In order to participate, you must be 10+ and taller than 48 inches.
Dolphin Encounter
Like the Dolphin Interaction, the Dolphin Encounter allows you to get up close with the dolphins and touch and feed them. However, with the encounter you will not enter the water. You will get to learn some hand signals that the trainers use to communicate with the dolphins, though, which is really exciting! Participants have to be 48 inches tall or accompanied by a paid adult.
Seal and Sea Lion Encounter
With this encounter, you go behind the scenes at Sea Lion Point to meet a seal or sea lion up close. You will also learn about how to care for these animals and hear the experiences of the animal experts who care for them on a daily basis!
What to Wear to SeaWorld San Diego
What you wear and bring to SeaWorld will, of course, depend on what time of year you go. But here are some things you will want to consider bringing:
- Hat: Definitely bring a hat if it is sunny outside! You will spend a lot of time walking with the sun beating down on your head, and will spend quite a bit of time sitting with the sun beating down on your head if you decide to watch any shows.
- Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a must! San Diego is usually sunny, but even when it is cloudy you can still get burnt.
- Layers: Even when it’s hot outside, you will still want to bring a jacket or light layer for the cool mornings and cold evenings.
- Comfortable Shoes: You will be walking. A lot. So make sure whatever shoes you choose are ones you can walk in all day (shoes like these are a good choice!)
Want to know more about what to bring on your California vacation? Check out this packing guide!
SeaWorld Tips and FAQ
Here are a few SeaWorld San Diego tips to help you make the most of your time in this park!
Can You Bring Food Into SeaWorld?
SeaWorld’s official policy is that you cannot bring food into the park. If you want to bring your own food for budget reasons, you can leave it in a cooler in your car and pop out to eat for a few minutes before returning to the park (be sure to get your hand stamped so you can reenter). Guests with medical reasons for specific foods can speak with park representatives to make exceptions.
If you’re worried about starving, though, you don’t have to worry. SeaWorld does have restaurants and concession stands all throughout the park for you to purchase food.
And you can definitely bring your own water into the park, so make sure you do this as you will be walking a lot and probably in the sun a lot so will need lots of water. This is my favorite water bottle for keeping water cool all day.
What to Bring to Seaworld?
As mentioned above, be sure to bring a hat, comfortable shoes, a light jacket for layering, and sunscreen. You will also want to bring water, a backpack for carrying everything, and a camera (or cell phone with a good camera).
If you are bringing young kids, you may want to consider bringing a stroller as well. The majority of exhibits allow you to bring a stroller with you, but there are plenty of stroller parking areas throughout SeaWorld where you can leave them during shows and any exhibits that you cannot bring them into.
What is the SeaWorld San Diego Parking Cost?
Parking starts at $22 per car for general parking, although you may pay more if you want up close or VIP parking. Be sure to check out the SeaWorld official FAQ page if you have other questions about parking or other questions you want to have answered before you go.
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